When Pacquiao's plans for China were first announced in 2014, he said that he believed the partnership could help thaw frosty ties between the Philippines and China, who were engaged in a territorial maritime dispute in the South China Sea.

Relations have since improved considerably under current Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

At the time, Pacquiao defended the decision to open a boxing academy in China instead of his own country.

"In the Philippines we don't have a problem (producing good boxers)," said Pacquiao, a hero in his home country and also a senator.